SOURCE: “Eagleton on Ideology: Six Types of Ambiguity,” in University of Toronto Quarterly, Vol. 61, No. 2, Winter, 1991-92, pp. 280-88.

In the following review of Ideology, Henderson offers analysis of Eagleton's philosophical perspective and critical approach to the delineation of ideology. While citing many shortcomings and contradictions in the work, Henderson writes, “Eagleton's negotiation of this dense and difficult terrain is masterful.”

‘Ideology’ is such a charged and vexed term that many people, taking in hand a volume about this topic, might well be tempted to follow Hume's famous advice. ‘Does it contain any abstract reasoning concerning fact or number? Does it contain experimental reasoning concerning matter of fact and existence? No. Commit it then to the flames: for it can contain but sophistry and illusion.’ Nevertheless, pronouncements about the end of ideology are surely premature, and however enticing the prospects of committing it to the flames might be...